he does his homework

do in English – auxiliary and main verb

Is do an auxiliary or a main verb.

The verb do can be an auxiliary verb or a main verb in English.

1. do as a main verb

1.1. do as a main verb in simple present (do, does, don't, doesn't), 1.2. do as a main verb in simple past (did, didn't), 1.3. do as a main verb – past participle (done), 1.4. do as a main verb (present progressive, gerund, present participle) – (doing), 2. do as an auxiliary, 2.1. do as an auxiliary in negations in the simple present.

I do n't do my homework in the evenings.*

2.2. do as an auxiliary in negations in the Simple Past

I did n't do my homework yesterday evening.**

2.3. do as an auxiliary in quesions in the Simple Present

Do you like rugby? – Does he like rugby?

2.4. do as an auxiliary in quesions in the Simple Past

Did you see Peggy yesterday? When did you get up this morning?

2.5. do with the negative imparative

Do n't sing under the shower.

* Here we use do in the negative sentence as an auxiliary and do as a main verb .

** Here we use did in the negative sentence as an auxiliary and do as a main verb .

• You are here:
• Grammar Explanations
• Modal Auxiliaries

Register to get your text revised right away for FREE ⚡

Today more than 1001 people got their English checked.

By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Terms of Service .

Get a FREE revision 🎁

Register a new account, welcome back, confirm your email.

Please click the link that we've sent to this address to post your question to our experts. Ok, I'll check my email

not your email? Change it now

Set a new email

Here you can set your new address email. Remember to use a valid email address. We will send you an email to confirm your account.

Facebook Login Discontinued

Unfortunately, the Facebook login method has been discontinued.

To access your TextRanch account, please click the "Reset Password" button below and input your Facebook Email. Our team will send you an email with further instructions.

If you don't remember your email, please fill out this form .

Your text is being reviewed by one of our Experts. We will notify you when your revision is ready.

Or wait in this page

Leave this page open, and your corrected text will appear as soon as it's ready!

You need to add a payment method to get our special promo ⚡

Enter your email below to get instant access to the first Chapter of our Ebook

Downloaded more than 1320 times today.

Add payment method

NOTE: Credits are valid for one year.

We're so happy that you liked your revision! Your feedback helps us improve our service. Want more FREE revisions ? 🎁

Step 1 out of 2!

Like us on Facebook by clicking the like button below:

Almost there!

Last step (2/2)

Share TextRanch on Facebook by clicking on the button below.

Congrats! You've just earned 3 credits!

Closing your account will prevent you from accessing your past revisions, and you will no longer be eligible for a FREE daily revision.

There is no cost to keep your TextRanch account, and we store all of your past revisions in a secure and private manner.

Help us understand

If we didn't meet your expectations, we'd really like to know more. Please tell us why you are closing your account:

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,026,573 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below. 2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors. 3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

he do homework vs he does homework

A complete search of the internet has found these results:

he do homework  is the most popular phrase on the web.

he do homework

63,700 results on the web

Some examples from the web:

For longer phrases (4+ words) it's not always possible to find identical examples. Please try again with a shorter phrase.

For the very best results, we recommend that you submit your full sentence to our Quick Text editing service so a human editor can provide you with the right suggestions.

he does homework

31,800 results on the web

• I'll make sure he does your homework for free.
• You know, now he does his homework everyday with Paolo.
• I was on my way to sit with Timothy while he does his homework .
• If he obeys me completely, he does his homework as I tell him to and stays at home, it's perfect.
• Seems like he does his homework .
• I'm working a double at the hospital tonight, so you have to make sure that you pick up your brother and he does his homework , all right?
• Does he finish his homework before meeting you?
• I'm dating a girl who does homework .
• I don't think a booby does homework on his hosts.
• She still does homework , that's how she is.
• Really, dollface, who does homework at a party?
• In a traditional classroom, you have a couple of homework , homework , lecture, homework , lecture, and then you have a snapshot exam.
• Do my English homework or not do my English homework and contribute to Tatoeba, that is the question.
• I... read the books. I mean, I did my homework , I did my homework .
• I told them to do their homework , and they just won't do their homework .
• So, soon enough, he was writing. He would finish his homework early - got really addicted to finishing his homework early.
• I haven't figured out how to work homework into all my club activities, but luckily, I'm in homework club!
• The relationship between completed homework and academic achievement is statistically compelling.
• OK, Freddie, physics homework .

Related Comparisons

Thanks to TextRanch, I was able to score above 950 on TOEIC, and I got a good grade on ACTFL OPIC as well. + Read the full interview

I love TextRanch because of the reliable feedback. The editors' comments are helpful and the customer service is amazing. + Read the full interview

TextRanch has helped me to improve my written skills as well as to communicate more naturally, like a local English speaker. + Read the full interview

TextRanch is amazingly responsive and really cares about the client. It's the best online service that I have ever used! + Read the full interview

I started to use TextRanch when I began to learn English. It has been an awesome way to improve my English skills. + Read the full interview

I love that TextRanch editors are real people who revise the text and provide feedback – it makes it so personal. + Read the full interview

I sometimes wonder if my English expressions make sense clearly and TextRanch helps me a lot in such cases. + Read the full interview

TextRanch has been really helpful in improving the flow and repairing the structure of my sentences. + Read the full interview

“Faster than AI"

“This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."

“It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"

“7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

“In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

“Without textranch I would be stuck!"

“Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."

“I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

“The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."

“you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"

“OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."

“Very fast and accurate. thank you."

“I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"

“This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"

“The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."

“this helps A LOT for my studies."

“Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"

“Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."

“The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."

“The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"

“Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"

“This is the best app that I have ever seen"

“Quick response and got what I intend to say. Grammar correction is excellent because the meaning is retained."

“Excellent, I truly loved this textRanch for quick revision. This textRanch for quick revision is a 10/10 for me."

⚡️Ask our Editor now.

Fresh content for your texts, so you can be more professional.

estimated time: 30 minutes , directly in your inbox

Want to improve your English business writing?

More than 150,000 people like you receive our weekly newsletter to master their English skills!

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Do or Does: Which is Correct?

By: Author Dr. Patrick Capriola

Posted on Published: November 29, 2021

The verb “do” is among the most common English verbs, and like most verbs we use a lot, it’s irregular. “Do” and “does” are both forms of the verb “do” in the simple present, so which is correct, “do” or “does?”

When you talk about yourself, you should say, “I do” as in “I do the dishes,” not “I does the dishes.” Even though the verb “do” is irregular, it still follows the rule that a present tense verb, in the third-person singular, needs an “s” at the end. For example, “I eat” and “he eats.” Like other verbs, “do” gets an “s” in the third-person singular, but we spell it with “es” — “does.”

Let’s take a closer look at how “do” and “does” are different and when to use each one. We’ll also talk about how to make negative sentences and questions with “do” and “does,” and we’ll even check out some common phrasal verbs and expressions that use “do.”

Do Is a Verb: What Does It Mean?

“Do” and “does” are action verbs, and we use them to describe an activity in the present tense ( source ). Remember that we use the simple present tense to talk about habits or activities that happen consistently over time.

Is It “I Do” or “I Does”?

Say “I do” when you are talking about work or an activity you are performing yourself. Here are some examples:

• I always do my homework before dinner.
• I do the dishes after we eat.

You only need to use the word “does” when you use the third-person singular to talk about another person or thing ( source ). Look at these sentences:

• He always does his homework before dinner.
• She does the dishes after we eat.
• That car does well in the snow.

Can We Use “Do” with “I”?

As we’ve learned from the previous examples, you can use “do” with “I.” Bearing that in mind, which of these sentences is correct?

• I do all my chores on Saturday.
• I does all my chores on Saturday.

If you chose the first sentence, you’re correct! Remember, we need “do” when the subject is “I.”

Can We Use “Does” with “I”?

This also raises the question of whether we can use “does” with “I.” Simply put, no, you cannot use “does” with “I.” Consider the next examples. Which sentence is correct?

• I does it as many times as it takes.
• I do it as many times as it takes.

The second sentence is correct. Remember, the third-person singular is the only subject that uses “does.” You can say, “He does it as many times as it takes,” but you cannot say, “I does it as many times as it takes.”

“Does” and “Do” Chart

Here’s an easy chart to help you remember when to use “does” or “do.”

As you can see from the chart, you should always use “do” in the simple present tense when you are talking about anyone except he, she, or it. For those subjects, you need “does.”

Do or Does Singular

For proper subject-verb agreement, the singular subjects “I” and “you” need the word “do.” To describe how singular subjects “he,” “she,” or “it” complete an action, you will need to use the word “does.”

• I do my best.
• You do my hair exactly how I like it.
• She does everything with a smile.

Of course, if you are using someone’s name or the name of an “it,” you’ll also use “does.”

• Mr. Garcia does car repair from his shop.
• This printer also does color, as well as black and white.

Do or Does Plural

In contrast, for proper subject-verb agreement, you should use “do” with all plural subjects, like “we,” “they,” or the plural “you.”

• We do the laundry every week.
• They do their jobs well.
• You do your best all the time.
• They do volunteer work at the library. 

“Does” and “Do” Examples

Now you try! Look at these sentences and decide if you should use “do” or does.”

1.    Mr. and Mrs. Lee always _____ what they say.

2.    You guys ______ that project, and we can _____ this one. (you → plural)

3.    The horse ______ laps around the track.

4.    I _____ the sewing by hand.

5.    You and I ______ whatever we want.

6.    You _____ a good job when you cook. (you → singular)

7.   I _____my work from home now.

Here are the answers. How did you do?

1.   do

2.   do, do

3.   does

4.   do

5.   do

6.   do

7.   do

Using Do and Does With Various Sentence Structures

There are many different ways to use the verbs “do” and “does,” whether as main verbs or helping verbs. In this section, we’ll review the main applications for both.

Do and Does in a Positive Sentence for Emphasis

Occasionally, we can use “do” and “does” as helping verbs . However, this isn’t very common in positive sentences unless you want to give extra emphasis to the sentence’s main verb. You will still use “does” with the third-person singular and “do” with all other personal pronouns. 

Here are some examples of how either “do” or “does” can provide emphasis for your main verb:

• I do want to go ; please call me! (You do not think I want to go)
• He does like pickles on his sandwich. (You thought he did not like them.)
• Sally and Harry do want to get married; they just don’t know when.

Making Negative Sentences With Do and Does

We also use “do” and “does” as helping verbs in negative sentences if the main verb is not “be.” Just add the adverb “not” after the helping verb “do” or “does,” then use your main verb. You will still use “does” for “he,” “she,” and “it” and “do” for all other personal pronouns. Consider the following examples:

• I do not want to go .
• You do not need to help me.
• Marla does not eat meat.
• We do not exercise on Fridays.
• You (plural) do not use plastic forks.
• They do not think it will happen.

Any of these sentences are fine. However, it’s much more common to make a contraction with “not,” especially when you are speaking. Simply combine “do” or “does” with “not” into one word, and then replace the “o” in “not” with an apostrophe.

• I don’t want to go.
• You don’t need to help me.
• Marla doesn’t eat meat.
• We don’t exercise on Fridays.
• You don’t use plastic forks.
• They don’t think it will happen.

Making Questions With Do and Does

A very common way to ask questions in English is by using “do” and “does” as helping verbs. Use them when you are asking a question that needs a “yes” or “no” answer. 

The rule for when to use “do” and “does” is still the same. You need to use “does” with “he,” “she,” or “it” and “do” with “I” and all other personal pronouns ( source ). Here are some examples:

• Do you like chocolate ice cream?
• Does he need help?
• Do they make a lot of money?
• Do we have a meeting today?

The answer to all of these questions can be a simple yes or no. If you need a longer answer to a question, you can add a question word — who, what, where, when, why, how, which — before “do” or “does.”

• Why does he always arrive late?
• How do you spell that?
• What do I use to clean this?
• Who do they live with?

However, there are times you do not need to use “do” and “does” when you ask a question. We’ve already talked about one — when your main verb is a form of “be.” Here are two more:

• When your main verb is a compound verb, like “are going.”
• When you use a modal verb, like “can,” should,” have,” etc.

Making Negative Questions With “Do” and “Does”

To make negative questions, you should use the contractions “don’t” and “doesn’t.” It’s very rare to form a negative question by saying or spelling “do not” or “does not.” Instead, just put these contractions at the beginning of the sentence, before the subject. These questions only need a “yes” or “no” answer.

• Don’t I look pretty?
• Doesn’t that dog need a bath?
• Don’t we have a meeting today?

Do and Does Can Substitute for Other Verbs

If your listener knows what action you are talking about, you can also follow “do” and “does” with the pronoun “it.”

• We do it every week. (the laundry.)
• He never does it until the weekend. (his homework.)
• They do it with love. (their cooking)
• This machine does it better. (the function of the machine you are talking about)

Speaking of pronouns, be aware that it’s not a good idea to directly follow “do” or “does” with a pronoun that refers to a person, like “him,” “her,” or “us.” Sentences like that are either so casual that they sound uneducated, or they can refer in a derogatory way to activities that you wouldn’t talk about in normal conversation.

However, you can use possessive pronouns, like “my” and “her,” followed by a noun.

• I do her hair every morning.
• Does Mr. Smith do your yard three times a week?

Other Ways to Use Do and Does

You can also use “do” and “does” with indefinite pronouns like “everything” and “nothing” to talk about activities.

• I do everything around the house.
• She does nothing unless someone asks her.

And finally, you can use “do” and “does” with an adverb to describe how you performed that activity.

• Matthew does his homework quickly.

Pronouncing Do and Does

“Do” and “does” also have irregular pronunciation, but don’t worry! Once you learn how to say them, they are easy to remember. The following pronunciation guides use Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary ( source ) and IPA symbols to help you ( source ).

Some Useful Idioms and Phrasal Verbs With “Do”

Since we use “do” and “does” a lot, there are also many expressions and idioms that use these two words ( source ). Here are a few:

Do (someone) a favor → to do a kind or helpful act for someone:

• Molly, would you do me a favor and help me move these boxes?

Do business → to sell or buy from:

• That deal sounds good; can we do business?

Do you good → a good thing that will help you:

• Take this medicine; it does you good.

Do a number on → to hurt or harm someone or something:

• The puppy does a number on my shoes.

Do-over → a second try to accomplish a task that was previously unsuccessful:

• Can I have a do-over?

Do the trick → to produce the desired result:

• I fixed the picture frame with a nail; that should do the trick.

Do you read me → this is serious; it is important that you do as I say:

• Jonathan, do not play in the street. Do you read me?

How to Answer “How Are You Doing?”

Finally, what should you say when someone asks you, “How are you doing?” You can’t answer this with the present tense “I do.” Instead, you need to use the present continuous, as they did in their question. This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.

You might answer, “I’m doing well” or “I’m doing good.” Both are correct, but they mean different things. Check out this article on the difference between “doing well” and “doing good.”

Final Thoughts

Remember, you should use “does” for the third-person singular. Use “do” for all other personal pronouns, both singular and plural. This rule applies when you use “do” as an action verb, as well as when you use it as a helping verb.

The more you listen to native speakers and practice your own speaking, the more you will discover that using “do” and “does” correctly will soon become natural for you. 

• English (UK)

Did he does his homework? or Did he do his homework? Which one is the correct sentence? See a translation

• Report copyright infringement

• English (US)

"Did he do his homework" is correct. Verb after did need to be in its base form.

Was this answer helpful?

• Why did you respond with "Hmm..."?
• Your feedback will not be shown to other users.

@STG25 2nd one

• She plunged into the weekend, completely forgot about her work. Is it a correct sentence? Could y...
• ''Does it work?'' ''It works?'' Which sentence is correct?
• is this sentence correct ? neither of our homework is correct
• Are these sentences correct? 1. I don't know what I'll do unless I'm in his shoes. 2. I've no i...
• 'He was there last morning. I gave him guidance on jobs he wanted to consider' Is this sentence ...
• What is the difference between I have just finished my homework and I just finished my homework ?
• How do you say this in English (US)? 做作业 。做练习。刷题。 除了do homework,do some exercise
• What is the difference between I have to do my homework and I must do my homework ?
• Make a question or ask a question? which is correct?
• I’m watching news websites to learn English. Recently I’m sick of war. (Real sick. I feel over he...
• can someone pls explain the meaning of axed https://news.sky.com/story/eurovision-2024-latest-...
• Are both more slowly and slowlier correct for the comparative degree of slowly?
• The comparative degrees of happy and heavy are happier and heavier, which means that y will be ch...
• Does this sound natural? A lot of Chinese parents think that playing video games is 100% bad for...
• Which of these sound natural? 1. Please bear in mind that I, in no way, feel qualified to tell yo...
• How does this fragment sound to you? ,,The ability to magically visualise what we mind about, or...
• how can i say "subete" in english? like: "subete al auto"
• he gets " put in" his place at the dinner table. What does this mean?
• My bad friend was dying, then I asked him, "What the hell happened to you?" Does this sound natural?
• is "too fire" grammatical correct?
• how much must my order amount be over so I can get my order delivered to me ? does my sentence a...
• When do you use sentences like: Back in Seoul, I...... Back in New York,.....
• Hello, guys! He gambles. => Il fait des paris d’argent. Is it right expression? Thank yo...
• How do you say this in English (US)? 今日から英語で日記を書いていこうと思う

The Language Level symbol shows a user's proficiency in the languages they're interested in. Setting your Language Level helps other users provide you with answers that aren't too complex or too simple.

Has difficulty understanding even short answers in this language.

Can ask simple questions and can understand simple answers.

Can ask all types of general questions and can understand longer answers.

Can understand long, complex answers.

Show your appreciation in a way that likes and stamps can't.

By sending a gift to someone, they will be more likely to answer your questions again!

If you post a question after sending a gift to someone, your question will be displayed in a special section on that person’s feed.

Ask native speakers questions for free

Solve your problems more easily with the app!

• Find the answer you're looking for from 45 million answers logged!
• Enjoy the auto-translate feature when searching for answers!
• It’s FREE!!

• Did he does his homewor...

• Rules/Help/FAQ Help/FAQ
• Members Current visitors
• Interface Language

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• Spanish-English / Español-Inglés
• Spanish-English Grammar / Gramática Español-Inglés

Does do his homework or does do homework?

• Thread starter lola77777
• Start date Oct 7, 2010

• Oct 7, 2010

Hola... Quisiera saber como se diría correctamente a) Does Peter do his homework in the evenings? b) Does Peter do homework in the evenings? Gracias  

Senior Member

Both are correct. They could be interpreted differently, though: a) Does Peter do his homework in the evenings? Does he do all of his homework? b) Does Peter do homework in the evenings? Does he do homework (or something else)? Context is everything, though.  

horsewishr said: Both are correct. They could be interpreted differently, though: a) Does Peter do his homework in the evenings? Does he do all of his homework? b) Does Peter do homework in the evenings? Does he do homework (or something else)? Context is everything, though. Click to expand...

aztlaniano said: Welcome, lola77777! Se pueden usar las dos versiones. Tratándose de una pregunta, también podría ser: Does Peter do any home work ...? ( Does Peter do any of his homework in the evenings? Does Peter often/always/usually do (his) homework in the evenings? Hay matices, los significados son algo diferentes. Si pregunto, por ejemplo, "Does Peter do any of his homework in the evening" podría implicar (¿O es que hace las tareas sólo a la hora de comer?) (He traspado esta entrada desde el foro de vocabulario y he pedido que el hilo allí se quite, ya que tenemos este.) Click to expand...

Adverbs of Frequency Sentence Placement

Use these adverbs to tell how often something occurs or did occur

James McQuillan/Getty Images

• Pronunciation & Conversation
• Writing Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Business English
• Resources for Teachers
• TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London
• M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music
• B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens/is the case, happened/was the case, will happen/will be the case, etc.

There are lots of them. Here are some examples:

• always - Peter is always getting into trouble.
• usually - They usually get their work done on time.
• frequently - My sister frequently goes shopping in Seattle.
• rarely - They rarely ask questions about the homework.

Most Common Adverbs of Frequency

The most common adverbs of frequency in English in order from most often to least often:

• always - He always does his homework.
• usually - They usually complete the work on time.
• often - I often watch movies online.
• sometimes - Jack sometimes comes over for dinner. 
• occasionally - She occasionally asks a question.
• rarely - They rarely have any homework.
• never - I never complain at work. 

Where Do They Appear in the Sentence?

Word order can be confusing with adverbs of frequency. Here are different rules for placement in sentences.

1. In a Sentence With One Verb

If the sentence has one verb in it (e.g. no auxiliary verb) we usually put the adverb in the middle of the sentence, i.e. after the subject and before the verb:

subject / adverb / verb / predicate

• Tom usually goes to work by car.
• Mary often asks me for help. 

2. Usually After the Verb "Be"

The adverb usually comes after the verb "be":

subject / verb / adverb / predicate

• Tom is often late.
• Anne isn't usually sick.
• Peter isn't always right.

This is not the case if we put the adverb at the beginning or end of the sentence for emphasis .

This rule also does not apply to short answers:

• Is she usually on time?
• Tell her not to be late.
• Yes, she usually is.
• She never is.

The rule is broken in other cases too, e.g.

Conversation 1

• Speaker A: What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school?
• Speaker B: I normally am at school at this time, but my teacher is ill. 

Conversation 2

• Speaker A: You're late again!
• Speaker B: usually am late on Mondays because the traffic is so bad.

Conversation 3

• Speaker A: Tom is late again!
• Speaker B: Tom usually is late. 

3. In a Sentence With More Than One Verb

If the sentence has more than one verb in it (e.g. auxiliary verb ) we usually put the adverb after the first part of the verb:

subject / helping verb or modal / adverb / main verb / predicate

• I can never remember his name.
• Anne doesn't usually smoke.
• The children have often complained about the playground facilities.

In sentences with "have to" the adverb is in position A:

subject / adverb / have to / main verb / predicate

• We often have to wait for the bus.
• She never has to do any housework.
• They sometimes have to stay after class. 

4. When Using for Emphasis

For emphasis, we can put the adverb at the beginning or end of the sentence.

At the end is unusual - we usually only put it there when we have forgotten to put it in earlier.

adverb / subject / main verb / predicate

• Sometimes we go to school by bus.
• Often he waits for her after class.
• Usually, Peter arrives early for work.

subject / main verb / predicate / adverb

• We go to school by bus sometimes.
• They like to watch TV often.
• Jennifer buys a new car rarely.

Exceptions:

"Always" can't go at the beginning or end of the sentence.

"Never", "seldom", "rarely" can't go at the end of a sentence. They only go at the beginning of a sentence in "polemic statements". Then they have to be followed by the word order for questions:

• Never has there been a better time to overcome our differences.
• Rarely do we have an opportunity like this.
• Seldom had the orchestra given a worse performance. 

5. In Question Form

When using adverbs of frequency in the question form, put the adverb before the main verb.

auxiliary verb / subject / adverb / main verb / predicate

• Do you often go to the cinema?
• Did he sometimes leave the classroom?
• Do they usually come late to class?

"Never", "seldom", "rarely" and other adverbs of frequency with a negative sense are not usually used in the question form.

6. In the Negative Form

When using adverbs of frequency in the negative form, put the adverb before the main verb.

subject / helping verb / adverb / main verb / predicate

• They don't often go to the cinema.
• She doesn't usually wait for an answer.
• Peter doesn't normally want to come with us. 

"Never", "seldom", "rarely" and other adverbs of frequency with a negative sense are not usually used in the negative form.

• The Five Main Types of Adverbs in English
• Essential Basic English Lessons
• Common Present Simple Exceptions
• Present Simple Worksheets
• Master Verb Tenses With This Sentence Structure Chart
• Adverb Placement in English
• Absolute Beginner English Continue Adverbs of Frequency
• Inverted Sentences for Advanced Learners of English
• Question Tags in English
• How to Teach the Present Simple
• Subject and Object Questions in English
• Guide to Present Tenses
• Absolute Beginner English: The 20 Point Program
• Negative Structures
• How to Conjugate Verbs
• Adjectives and Adverbs: A Guide to Usage

Home / Expert Articles / Child Behavior Problems / Laziness & Motivation

Motivating the Unmotivated Child

By james lehman, msw.

Over the years, many parents have asked me why their kids aren’t motivated and what they can do about it. How can you get your child to be more motivated? To do better in school? To even go to school?

The important thing to remember is this: your child is motivated. They’re just motivated to resist you and others when they do not want to do something. The key is to learn how to turn their negative motivation into a positive one.

Lack of Motivation is a Form of Resistance

When kids won’t get out of bed, won’t do their homework or school assignments, or won’t get involved in activities, it’s important for parents to realize that there is motivation in the child. But the motivation is to resist . The motivation is to do things their way, not yours. The motivation is to retain power.

When kids feel powerless, they try to feel powerful by withholding. A child or teenager who feels very powerless will stay in bed, not go to school, avoid homework, sit on the couch, and withhold overall involvement because it gives her a sense of being in control.

To the parent, the behavior looks completely out of control. But the child sees it as the only way to have control over what’s going on around him.

You’ll see it when you ask your child a question and he doesn’t answer, but you know he heard you. What’s that all about? That’s a child withholding an answer to feel powerful. When he says, “I don’t have to answer you if I don’t want to,” you see it as a lack of motivation. He sees it as a way to win control over you.

All Kids are Motivated by Something

I want to be clear about this point: everyone is motivated. The question is, motivated to do what? If a child looks like he’s not motivated, you have to look at what he’s accomplishing and assume that this is what he’s motivated to do.

So part of the solution is getting him to be motivated to do something else. To assume that the child is unmotivated is an ineffective way of looking at it. He is motivated. He’s simply motivated to do nothing. In this case, doing nothing means resisting and holding back to exercise control over you.

Kids Resist Because They Lack Problem-Solving Skills

The child who uses resistance as a form of control lacks both social skills and problem-solving skills.

They don’t have the social skills to know how to talk to other people, how to be friendly, and how to feel comfortable with themselves. Also, they don’t have the problem-solving skills to figure out what people want from them, how to deal with other people’s behavior, and how to meet expectations and demands.

These are basic skills we all have to learn in order to be successful as adults.

If continually resisting is how a child tries to solve problems, then parents will have a hard time until they teach the child how to solve problems appropriately.

The first step in teaching kids problem-solving skills is to understand that these kids are not helpless victims. Instead, they’re simply trying to solve problems in an ineffective manner.

Don’t Argue or Fight With Your Child About Motivation

Very often these kids are motivated by the power struggle. They find different ways to have that struggle with their parents. The job of the parents, therefore, is to find other ways for the child to solve the problem that’s causing the power struggle.

But if parents don’t have those other ways then the power struggle continues with no end in sight.

If you’re fighting day after day with a kid who won’t get out of bed, you’re never going to solve that problem. Because even if he gets out of bed then he won’t brush his teeth. And even if he brushes his teeth then he won’t comb his hair. Or he won’t wear clean clothes, or he won’t do his homework.

Understand that when you yell at your child for lack of motivation, you’re giving their resisting behavior power. So don’t yell. Don’t argue. Don’t give their resisting behavior power.

I understand that parents get frustrated—that’s normal. And sometimes you will lose your calm, even when you know better.

The point I want to make here is that yelling and fighting won’t solve the problem. If you’re yelling and fighting over these issues, you’re giving him more power in the struggle, and you don’t want to do that. Here’s what to do instead.

Be Clear, Calm, and Give Consequences for Your Child’s Behavior

Make the situation clear for the child. Use “I” words. Say the following:

“I want you to get up out of bed and get ready for school.”

“I want you to do your homework now.”

Then leave the bedroom. If the kid doesn’t do it, then there should be consequences. There should be accountability.

If your child says, “I don’t care about the consequences,” ignore her. She will tell you she doesn’t care just as a way to feel in control. Or, she may not care now, but as consequences get applied consistently, she will eventually see compliance as a better alternative to consequences.

Therefore, give consequences. And don’t worry if the kid doesn’t like it. You are not your child’s friend, you’re their parent.

Related content: Unmotivated Child? 6 Ways to Get Your Child Going

By the way, if your child doesn’t get out of bed, he shouldn’t be doing anything else. He shouldn’t get to play video games. He shouldn’t spend four hours in front of the TV. If he’s too sick to go to school, he shouldn’t be going out of the house. These rules should be set and enforced consistently.

Give Effective Consequences

Understanding what is and what is not an effective consequence is critical. The right consequences actually motivate your child to good behavior. They put you back in control and teach your child how to problem-solve, giving your child the skills needed to be a successful adult.

Know that effective consequences are not punishments. Indeed, I say all the time that you can’t punish your child into behaving better.

All parents should read my article on how to give kids consequences that work . And take a look at my sample video from The Complete Guide to Consequences .

Let Your Child Experience Natural Consequences

I would always tell parents in my office that you have to have the courage to let her experience the consequences of her behavior. It takes a lot of courage for a parent to step back and say:

“Okay, you’re not going to do your homework, and you’re going to get the grades that reflect that.”

But in these cases, it can help to let the child experience the natural consequences of resistance. You don’t let the kid watch TV. You say:

“Homework time is from six to eight. And if you don’t want to do your homework during that time, that’s fine. But you can’t go on the computer, you can’t play games, and you can’t watch TV. If you choose not to do your homework, that’s your choice. And if you fail, that’s your choice too.”

Remember, natural consequences are an important part of life. That’s why we have speeding tickets. A speeding ticket is a natural consequence. If you go too fast, the policeman stops you and gives you a ticket. He doesn’t follow you home to make sure you don’t speed anymore. He lets you go. It’s your job to stop and take responsibility. If you don’t, you’re going to get another ticket fifteen minutes later.

Natural consequences help people take responsibility, and they can be used to help kids take responsibility for things like going to school, participating in class, and doing homework.

Don’t Forget to Use Rewards

Along with the plan to let her experience the natural consequences of her decisions, build in rewards for success if she does make the right decision.

For example, if my son failed a test, there was no punishment. But if he passed, there was a reward. It was very simple. We rewarded A’s and B’s. We didn’t take anything away for C, we just didn’t reward it.

So my son eventually strived to have A’s all the time. So with kids who resist, it’s important to have a rewards system as well as a consequence system.

Be Patient and Persistent

Calmly and consistently using effective consequences is your fastest and best way to get your child motivated. Just be patient and persistent as consequences do their job and your child begins to learn better problem-solving skills. And know that the vast majority of kids come around and get motivated once they are held accountable in a meaningful way.

Related content: Motivating Underachievers: 9 Steps to Take When Your Child Says “I Don’t Care”

Empowering Parents Podcast: Apple, Spotify

About James Lehman, MSW

James Lehman, who dedicated his life to behaviorally troubled youth, created The Total Transformation® , The Complete Guide to Consequences™ , Getting Through To Your Child™ , and Two Parents One Plan™ , from a place of professional and personal experience. Having had severe behavioral problems himself as a child, he was inspired to focus on behavioral management professionally. Together with his wife, Janet Lehman, he developed an approach to managing children and teens that challenges them to solve their own problems without hiding behind disrespectful, obnoxious or abusive behavior. Empowering Parents now brings this insightful and impactful program directly to homes around the globe.

You must log in to leave a comment. Don't have an account? Create one for free!

I wish it was this easy. It's not that simple I've read what you wrote here and I don't think you have teenager's because it's eazy as you say

Sandra Sometimes the lack of motivation is a sign of something deeper - fear and shame felt because of failing grades - and so the child enters denial and resistance mode.

Emma Same here. I hate that the school requires the use of the laptop. It is nothing but a distraction and you can't take it away because they need it for school. The closest we've come to a solution is parental control software.

Tracy I have the same situation with my son. Ignores homework or any other responsibilities, bedroom is a disaster. Can't babysit all day, I am a single mom and I work full time. He knows how much this upsets me yet he does nothing to fix it. I take xbox, pc More power cords away, NOTHING motivates this kid.

Dad.com The issue with parents right now is that they have the same issue of all assuming their child’s goal is to fight them and be rebellious. A lot of kids who are struggling right now would love to pass and work hard and get good grades, but there are many More factors such as depression, low self-esteem and confidence, and the reaction, the relationship, and the treatment from the parents that greatly effect a child's motivation and perspective. Stop using punishment as a way to help your kid, use positive re-enforcement, and let then understand that what they’re going through isn’t their fault, they didn’t choose to be depressed, stressed, or have little to no motivation. Try and be helpful and realize that they are the ones carrying more emotional baggage then you can imagine.

Hyporeal Agree with some other comments here re consequences - they made difficult situations much much worse. No tv? She turned it on anyway. Confiscated phone/guitar - ransacked the house & took my keys in order to find them. Eventually, at age 24 she was diagnosed with severe ADHD, & More I realised those consequences would have produced anxiety in her worse than the original requests.

This. I'm already late for work every day (I take him to school) I can't sit at home with him all day every day.

He does have underlying issues (depression, anxiety), but 'nothing works' so he won't even try anything anymore - medication, therapy, exercise.

I'm at my wits' end and it's to the point that by the time he gets dropped off, I'm practically in tears, but have to get it together so that I can go to work and do what I need to do.

Emma Certainly it's important to rule out clinical anxiety and depression. But it appears to me that absolutely everything these days is being blamed on anxiety and depression and we are too quick to medicate and relieve children of their responsibilities.

Melissa382 Thank you for this I hope more parents see this.

Emma Agree 100%.

Janelle383 Maybe your child is depressed or something. You never know what really goes on in a teen’s mind.

Thanks for taking the time to put this article together to support parents. This is something I spend a lot of time also doing. I would love to be able to use your work as a reference for the families I come in contact with. The above article leaves me with a question that I feel would come up if I used it; "If the key is to avoid the power struggle, how do I then avoid the power struggle that would ensue from implementing the consequence?" Many of the struggles people have result from the secondary behaviour that follows the logical (as opposed to natural) consequence implementation. I look forward to hearing your strategies for this next step. Kindest Regards

Emma Same question here. And how can natural consequences work when they are not immediate? A 14-year-old has trouble understanding that missing homework assignments, being lazy with schoolwork, and not studying will impact his future. His immediate natural consequence is lower grades, but what if he doesn't care because he can't More see how this affects him in the future?

Txmomma Yes I have the same issue. In response to a consequence he break things, slams stuff, locks me out screams and yells. He doesn’t care if he gets bad grades. He doesn’t care if he fails or has to repeat a grade.

Responses to questions posted on EmpoweringParents.com are not intended to replace qualified medical or mental health assessments. We cannot diagnose disorders or offer recommendations on which treatment plan is best for your family. Please seek the support of local resources as needed. If you need immediate assistance, or if you and your family are in crisis, please contact a qualified mental health provider in your area, or contact your statewide crisis hotline.

We value your opinions and encourage you to add your comments to this discussion. We ask that you refrain from discussing topics of a political or religious nature. Unfortunately, it's not possible for us to respond to every question posted on our website.

• 1. Unmotivated Child? 6 Ways to Get Your Child Going
• 2. How to Motivate Teenagers
• 3. Motivating Underachievers: 9 Steps to Take When Your Child Says "I Don't Care"
• 4. Life Skills: 5 Tips To Help Your Child Make It in the Real World
• 5. 5 Ways to Help Kids Who Procrastinate
• 140,000+ Subscribers Subscribe
• 50,000+ Fans Follow
• 10,000+ Followers Follow
• 6,000+ Followers Follow

Disrespect... defiance... backtalk... lack of motivation...

Frustrated and exhausted by your child's behavior?

Get your FREE Personal Parenting Plan today.

Does your child exhibit angry outbursts , such as tantrums, lashing out, punching walls, and throwing things?

Would you like to learn about how to use consequences more effectively?

Backtalk... complaints... arguments... attitude... just plain ignoring you

Do you struggle with disrespect or verbal abuse from your child?

Has your child been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)?

Or does your child exhibit a consistent and severe pattern of anger, irritability, arguing, defiance, and vindictiveness toward you or other authority figures?

Intimidation... aggression... physical abuse and violence ...

Are you concerned that your child may physically hurt you or others?

You must select at least one category to create your Personal Parenting Plan:

We're just about finished! Create a secure account with Empowering Parents to access your Personal Parenting Plan.

He ___ his homework before dinner.

B. finished

C. finishing

D. finishes

Select your answer:          

Next Quiz >

Other quiz:

Some of the cookies ____ been eaten.

She was full of the joys of ______.

How to use : Read the question carefully, then select one of the answers button.

GrammarQuiz.Net - Improve your knowledge of English grammar, the best way to kill your free time.

he does his homework

• Pronunciation

THE BEST SPANISH-ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Get more than a translation, written by experts, translate with confidence, spanish and english example sentences, examples for everything, regional translations, say it like a local.

Making educational experiences better for everyone.

Immersive learning for 25 languages

Marketplace for millions of educator-created resources

Fast, easy, reliable language certification

Fun educational games for kids

Comprehensive K-12 personalized learning

Trusted tutors for 300+ subjects

35,000+ worksheets, games, and lesson plans

Adaptive learning for English vocabulary